$25k on offer for Fraser Coast National Art Prize

ARTISTS are being rallied to submit works for the inaugural Girra: Fraser Coast National Art Prize. 

Entries are now being accepted until 21 June 2023.

The prize offers an exciting opportunity for contemporary artists working in any visual art form to showcase their work and potentially become a significant early acquisition for the newly focused art collection of the Fraser Coast.

Acting Director and Senior Curator at the University of Queensland Art Museum and Art Prize judge Peta Rake said she was honoured to be involved with the competition.

“Butchulla Country is well regarded for its natural diversity and its strong cultural connections to country, so I am humbled to be asked to be part of this jury,” she said.

Rake said the prize on offer would make a real difference to an artist’s career.

“I am looking forward to seeing a diverse range of applications--from the emerging to established artists--that are deeply thinking about the importance of storytelling and enduring narratives,” she said.

“A prize of $25,000 is a transformational amount of money for an artist.

“This level of support goes a long way to develop new projects and ongoing studio practices.”

Fraser Coast Regional Councillor David Lewis said the new initiative would be an important key in cementing the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery (HBRG) as a place of consequence known for excellence.

“The HBRG was recently referred to as the best regional gallery in Australia by a nationally renowned artist,” he said.

“We hope other artists will recognise this and decide to join us by entering Girra.”

Cr Lewis said he was hoping to see a diverse offering of works entered.

The finalists’ exhibition, held at the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery 23 September to 12 November 2023.

More information about the prize is available at https://hbrg.ourfrasercoast.com.au/fraser-coast-national-art-prize-1